Now we've got this game started and we're bowling first I hope we can get a result. With Clarke and Salt out the odds are definitely in our favour.
I don't think it make any difference, because no doubt a result won't be possible here, but I am surprised that the umpires didn't allow for one more ball. That would have got Manchester to 25 balls, and so in theory wouldn't need to bat again. The umpires would have only needed to find time to get our 25 balls in, with no delay for a change of innings (even if for just two mins).
It will depend on how heavy the rain is. There's no doubt it's going to rain throughout but if it's light drizzle they'll play.
Vince might have to take some gambles with his bowling selections from here. Possibly no use in keeping some Mills or Jordan until the end, if the rain comes back and brings forward that end.
If we get the full 85 balls (or even a small cut down to 75 or 80), we would need to bowl the final five from the Dawson-Sterling allocation at some point. So I guess Vince was hoping to hide them there, whilst both batters were not yet set - on the assumption that the innings will last at least 75 balls.
TBF I'm surprised we got as much play as we did. Fair play to umpires and groundsmen, they did everything possible. But when that much rain falls, you're always fighting a losing battle.
So subject to what Trent do in their game in hand tomorrow, we've gone from losing our first two games, to being one point off top after five. And with all remaining games being at home. Rain is quite likely to play apart on Saturday (but maybe less so than tonight). But looking further ahead, our last two are currently looking dry.
It's not the end of the world if Dawson does miss the T20 Q-Final, as we've now got Gubbins who can come in and replace him. Dawson hadn't been bowling particularly tightly recently anyway. It would also, I assume, mean that Crane will be a definite starter when the Championship returns. Any news on a second overseas player for that yet, can we get Abbas back? If so, then Brad Wheal might be the unfortunate one to miss out from the starting XI.
